Connectors for collapsible bed frame and collapsible bed frame having same

Abstract

Disclosed are connectors and collapsible bed frames. A collapsible bed frame includes lateral and longitudinal bar units. Between each of two adjacent lateral bar units, a first longitudinal bar unit is disposed at a first side of the collapsible bed frame and a second longitudinal bar unit is disposed at a second side of the collapsible bed frame. The first and second longitudinal bar units and the two adjacent lateral bar units are rotatably connected with each other by connectors that enable the collapsible bed frame to contract and expand while the lateral and longitudinal bar units are connected with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible bed frame comprising:
 a plurality of lateral bar units, each arranged substantially parallel to another, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of lateral bar units comprises a first outer lateral bar unit, a second outer lateral bar unit, and at least one inner lateral bar unit disposed between the first and second outer lateral bar units; 
 a plurality of first longitudinal bar units and a plurality of second longitudinal bar units, wherein between each of two adjacent lateral bar units, a first longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units is disposed at a first side of the collapsible bed frame and rotatably connected with the first ends of the two adjacent lateral bar units, and a second longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units is disposed at a second side of the collapsible bed frame and rotatably connected with the second ends of the two adjacent lateral bar units; 
 a plurality of first connectors, each comprising a first body and a first coupler rotatable with respect to the first body, wherein the first body is connected with the first or second end of a respective outer lateral bar unit in the first and second outer lateral bar units, and the first coupler is connected with an end of a corresponding first or second longitudinal bar unit; and 
 a plurality of second connectors, each connected with the first or second end of a respective inner lateral bar unit in the at least one inner lateral bar unit and connected with ends of two adjacent longitudinal bar units in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units or in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units, 
 wherein each second connector comprises a first piece fixedly coupled with the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar, wherein the first piece is formed with a through-hole to receive the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar unit, thereby increasing a strength of the connection between the first piece and the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar unit; 
 wherein one or more receptacles are formed or disposed at each bar unit in the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units and configured to removably receive one or more supporting bar units. 
 
     
     
       2. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 1 , wherein between the respective outer lateral bar unit and its adjacent inner lateral bar unit:
 each of the first and second longitudinal bar units comprises a first longitudinal segment unit and a second longitudinal segment unit rotatably connected with each other at one ends thereof, wherein the other end of the first longitudinal segment unit is connected with the first coupler of the corresponding first connector at the respective outer lateral bar unit, and the other end of the second longitudinal segment unit is connected with the adjacent inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       3. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 2 , wherein the first body has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first coupler comprises a first part rotatably coupled with the first body and a second part connected with the other end of the first longitudinal segment unit. 
     
     
       4. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 3 , wherein the first part is formed with a first through-hole, wherein the first part of the first coupler is coupled with the first body by a first fastener through the first through-hole. 
     
     
       5. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 3 , wherein the second part of the first coupler is formed with a second through-hole configured to couple with the other end of the first or second longitudinal segment unit. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each bar unit in the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units comprises an upper bar and a lower bar; 
 the upper bars of the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units collectively form an upper frame of the collapsible bed frame; and 
 the lower bars of the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units collectively form a lower frame of the collapsible bed frame. 
 
     
     
       7. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 6 , wherein the first coupler comprises a first upper coupler disposed at an upper portion of the first body and a first lower coupler disposed at a lower portion of the first body, wherein the first upper coupler is connected with the upper bar of the corresponding first or second longitudinal bar unit, and the first lower coupler is connected with the lower bar of the corresponding first or second longitudinal bar unit. 
     
     
       8. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first lower coupler comprises a protrusion facing downwardly with respect to the collapsible bed frame when the collapsible bed frame is in an expanded state. 
     
     
       9. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first upper and lower couplers are coupled with the first body by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
       10. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of vertical supporting bars disposed between the upper and lower frames, each having an upper end connected with the upper frame and a lower end connected with the lower frame. 
     
     
       11. A collapsible bed frame comprising:
 a plurality of lateral bar units, each arranged substantially parallel to another, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of lateral bar units comprises a first outer lateral bar unit, a second outer lateral bar unit, and at least one inner lateral bar unit disposed between the first and second outer lateral bar units; 
 a plurality of first longitudinal bar units and a plurality of second longitudinal bar units, wherein between each of two adjacent lateral bar units, a first longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units is disposed at a first side of the collapsible bed frame, and a second longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units is disposed at a second side of the collapsible bed frame; 
 a plurality of first connectors, each comprising a first body and a first coupler rotatable with respect to the first body, wherein the first body is connected with the first or second end of a respective outer lateral bar unit in the first and second outer lateral bar units, and the first coupler is connected with an end of an adjacent longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first and second longitudinal bar units; and 
 a plurality of second connectors, each connected with the first or second end of a respective inner lateral bar unit in the at least one inner lateral bar unit and connected with ends of two adjacent longitudinal bar units in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units or in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units, 
 wherein each second connector comprises a first piece fixedly coupled with the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar, wherein the first piece is formed with a through-hole to receive the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar unit, thereby increasing a strength of the connection between the first piece and the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       12. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein between the respective outer lateral bar unit and its adjacent inner lateral bar unit:
 each of the first and second longitudinal bar units comprises a first longitudinal segment unit and a second longitudinal segment unit rotatably connected with each other at one ends thereof, wherein the other end of the first longitudinal segment unit is connected with the first coupler of the corresponding first connector at the respective outer lateral bar unit, and the other end of the second longitudinal segment unit is connected with the adjacent inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       13. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second longitudinal segment units are rotatably connected with each other by a third connector. 
     
     
       14. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second longitudinal segment units comprises an upper bar segment and a lower bar segment, wherein the third connector comprises a third upper connector to connect the upper bar segments of the first and second longitudinal segment units and a third lower connector to connect the lower bar segments of the first and second longitudinal segment units. 
     
     
       15. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein each second connector further comprises:
 a second piece extended from an upper edge of the first piece and substantially perpendicular to the first piece; and 
 a third piece extended from a lower edge of the first piece and substantially perpendicular to the first piece; 
 wherein: 
 the ends of the two adjacent first or second longitudinal bar units are disposed between the second and third pieces and rotatably connected with the second and third pieces, wherein one of the two adjacent longitudinal bar units is rotatable along a first axis, and the other of the two adjacent longitudinal bar units is rotatable along a second axis; 
 the first piece is shorter than the second and third pieces in a longitudinal direction of the collapsible bed frame; and 
 the first and second axes are located beyond the first piece in the longitudinal direction of the collapsible bed frame, thereby allowing the two adjacent longitudinal bar units to rotate toward the respective inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       16. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein between each of two adjacent lateral bar units, the first longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units is rotatably connected with the first ends of the two adjacent lateral bar units, and the second longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units is rotatably connected with the second ends of the two adjacent lateral bar units. 
     
     
       17. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein one or more receptacles are formed or disposed at each bar unit in the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units and configured to removably receive one or more supporting bar units. 
     
     
       18. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein the first body has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first coupler comprises a first part rotatably coupled with the first body and a second part connected with the other end of the first longitudinal segment unit. 
     
     
       19. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 18 , wherein the first part is formed with a first through-hole, wherein the first part of the first coupler is coupled with the first body by a first fastener through the first through-hole. 
     
     
       20. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 19 , wherein the second part of the first coupler is formed with a second through-hole configured to couple with the other end of the first or second longitudinal segment unit. 
     
     
       21. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 18 , wherein the second part of the first coupler is formed with a second through-hole configured to couple with the other end of the first or second longitudinal segment unit. 
     
     
       22. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 11 , wherein the increasing of the strength of the connection between the first piece and the first or second end of the respective inner lateral bar unit is achieved by welding on both sides of the first piece. 
     
     
       23. A collapsible bed frame comprising:
 a plurality of lateral bar units, each arranged substantially parallel to another, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of lateral bar units comprises a first outer lateral bar unit, a second outer lateral bar unit, and at least one inner lateral bar unit disposed between the first and second outer lateral bar units; 
 a plurality of first longitudinal bar units and a plurality of second longitudinal bar units, wherein between each of two adjacent lateral bar units, a first longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units is disposed at a first side of the collapsible bed frame, and a second longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units is disposed at a second side of the collapsible bed frame; 
 a plurality of first connectors, each comprising a first body and a first coupler rotatable with respect to the first body, wherein the first body is connected with the first or second end of a respective outer lateral bar unit in the first and second outer lateral bar units, and the first coupler is connected with an end of an adjacent longitudinal bar unit in the plurality of first and second longitudinal bar units; and 
 a plurality of second connectors, each connected with the first or second end of a respective inner lateral bar unit in the at least one inner lateral bar unit and connected with ends of two adjacent longitudinal bar units in the plurality of first longitudinal bar units or in the plurality of second longitudinal bar units, 
 wherein: 
 each bar unit in the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units comprises an upper bar and a lower bar; 
 the upper bars of the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units collectively form an upper frame of the collapsible bed frame; 
 the lower bars of the plurality of lateral bar units, the plurality of first longitudinal bar units, and the plurality of second longitudinal bar units collectively form a lower frame of the collapsible bed frame; 
 each second connector comprises a second upper connector for connecting upper bars and a second lower connector for connecting lower bars; and 
 each of the second upper and lower connectors comprises a first piece fixedly coupled with the first or second end of the lower or upper bar of the respective inner lateral bar unit, wherein the first piece is formed with a through-hole to receive the first or second end of the lower or upper bar of the respective inner lateral bar unit, thereby increasing a strength of the connection between the first piece and the first or second end of the lower or upper bar of the respective inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       24. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 23 , wherein the first coupler comprises a first upper coupler disposed at an upper portion of the first body and a first lower coupler disposed at a lower portion of the first body, wherein the first upper coupler is connected with the upper bar of the corresponding first or second longitudinal bar unit, and the first lower coupler is connected with the lower bar of the corresponding first or second longitudinal bar unit. 
     
     
       25. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 24 , wherein the first lower coupler comprises a protrusion facing downwardly with respect to the collapsible bed frame when the collapsible bed frame is in an expanded state. 
     
     
       26. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 25 , wherein the first upper and lower couplers are coupled with the first body by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
       27. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 24 , wherein the first upper and lower couplers are coupled with the first body by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
       28. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 23 , wherein each of the second upper and lower connectors further comprises:
 a second piece extended from an upper edge of the first piece and substantially perpendicular to the first piece; and 
 a third piece extended from a lower edge of the first piece and substantially perpendicular to the first piece; 
 wherein 
 the ends of the lower or upper bars of the two adjacent first or second longitudinal bar units are disposed between the second and third pieces and rotatably connected with the second and third pieces, wherein one of the two adjacent longitudinal bar units is rotatable along a first axis, and the other of the two adjacent longitudinal bar units is rotatable along a second axis; 
 the first piece has a length shorter than the second and third pieces in a longitudinal direction of the collapsible bed frame; and 
 the first and second axes are located beyond the first piece in the longitudinal direction of the collapsible bed frame, thereby allowing the two adjacent longitudinal bar units to rotate toward the respective inner lateral bar unit. 
 
     
     
       29. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 23 , further comprising a plurality of vertical supporting bars disposed between the upper and lower frames, each having an upper end connected with the upper frame and a lower end connected with the lower frame. 
     
     
       30. The collapsible bed frame of  claim 23 , wherein the increasing of the strength of the connection between the first piece and the first or second end of the lower or upper bar of the respective inner lateral bar unit is achieved by welding on both sides of the first piece.